Curtain



J. C. BROWN.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. c. BRQWN. v CURTAIN APPLICATION-FILED NOV, 26,1920.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' Jiisrnn oiiLviivnnowN, or Los ANGELES, cnniionme.

CURTAIN; Y

' T 0 all whom it may conce/rn i and State of' California, have invented new and useful improvements vin Curtains, of.

which the following is a specification. y

rlhis invention relates to shades, curtains, and the like. The invention has particular reference to any curtain or shade which is adapted to be drawn upwardly or to one side by means of strings, ropes and other mechanism. The invention is particularly adaptable for use wit-h-the commerciallyknown Austrian and French shades.

The invention has Vfoi` an object the provision of means for raising a curtain so that the same is gathered at a determined zone other than at the bottom of the curtain, then maintaining the gathered portion at' said zone in progressive diminishment during the lowering of the curtain.

in practicing the invention, assuming that either an Austrian or French shade is being Y used, i provide'nieans associated with said curtain which means in turn is'associated with the means used for operating (raising or lowering) the shade or curtain. Said rst named means nreferabl includes some friction member through which the second named means may passand be frictionally engaged thereby. Said second-named means may comprise continuous strings or cord members. arranged so that they have parallel up and .down sliirred portions extending across the saine.y Between each shirred portion are ring members placed equidistant longitudinally from each other. Transversely eX- tending acrosssaid shade and near the botcurtain or shade is usually'tacked to theY upper part of the window casing', and ring members are likewise fastened to said cas-- ing." Cord members are Vpassed through the ring membersv attached to the casing and one separate unit of said cord members passes down through the rings attached to the curtain and finally is attached, in each case,`to thepcast iron rod. All of the cords are broi'ig'ht out at one side of the window `cas- ()rdinarily Austrian shades areV 1 v Specification of Letters Patent.A Patentd 21, ApplicationV led November 26, 1920. Serial No.,426,642. i

ing and extend downwardlyso thatwhen a person draws upon` the cords the shade is drawn upwardly, rAhook ofsome-formrfis? screwed into 'or otherwise held to Vajside of` the window casing, `so'that the corded elements may be wrapped'around'thesame Vto maintainy the shade at any desired height.

It is obvious that as vthe shade is drawnupwardly, it begins to be gathered andfb'ecoine full at the lower portion thereof. v This` causes a break in its uniform appearance,

causing a thick part to appear at the bottom,

as even as they werejbefore. V-This uneven appearance is not pleasing to the eye, and.v in order to overcome this fault I have pro-f..

instead of the bottom. Ordinarily, the topl of the shade is covered-by a lambrequin, said lambrequinv tending togive'the shade a fin-- f -ished appearance. By'utilizing the method about to be described, thegathered fullness Y in the curtain will occur under thelambrequin and bevmaintained there whether the curtain is drawn upwardly or loweredor in the case of caseine'nt window shades,

drawn to one side or returned to the original position.

brequin `hangs normally, not losing any v of its pleasing appearance. ,y

The method to be described is applicable to any style of shade, other than the roller shade.

The invention y has .for further objects the l* provision of an improved device to be used method of raisingyand lowering"curtains, which will be superior in pointn of relative simplicity and inexp'ensiveness, taken incon- Vin connection with improved means Vand iunction with utility, durability, and gen- Y eral etliciency and'v serviceability.

With the above mentioned and other ob- ]ects in view, the'invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, con-1 struction, combination, association and interrelation of partis, membersandfeatures, as'V illustrated in some of its embodimentsv intheV accompanying drawings, described in the following detailedv statement, and finally pointedI out-with particularityiir the claims.

In the drawings: Figure i illustrates an A shade which incorporates `the improved Austrian type vof tion with the lambrequin partly broken away to show said gathering.

VFigure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shade and the improved means in connection therewith;

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 and showing the leffect of using the improved means, said curtain acquiring its fullness at the top instead of the bottom;

:Figure it is a fragmentary perspective view of a shade utilizing theimproved means and shows the result of lowering the curtain from the position shown in Figure 3;

`Figure 5 is a fragmentary'elevation of a certain element used in practicing the invention-g l i Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with the said element revolved ninety degrees in the plane of the Figure;

Figure 7 is an element used in the device illustrated in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 7a is a further view of said element;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevation ofV a pulley means used in practicing the invention; Y

Figure 9 is a plan view of a friction means used in co-operation with the curtain and the cord elements in practicing the invention;

Figure 9al is a plan view showing the friction element of Figure 9 in a folded position;

Figure 9b is a front view of the means shown in Figure 9a;

Figure 9c is a cross-sectional side elevation ofthe means shown in Figure 9 and Figure 9b; Y ,A Figure 10 is a modified plan view of a, friction element.; f f

Figure 10a is a plan view of the friction element shown in Figure 10 with the same in folded position;

Figure 1()b is a cross-sectional side View of the device shown in Figure 10a;

Figure 11 is an elevation of an Austrian shade utilizing the improved means for raising the same;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary elevation showing a modification of the improved means for raising and lowering a shade;

Figure 13 is an elevation of a certain element used in practicing the invention;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of raising the shade, utilizing the improved means;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view, certain parts being sectioned, of means utilized for holding the curtain in position, as well as being used for enclosingI the iin- Y proved means forV raising` or lowering said curtain; y

Figure 16 isfa fragmentary elevation of a. member which may be used in practicingthe invention; and

Figure 17 is a fragmentary median sectional view of the member shown in Figure 16.

. Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by like reference characters.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, il designates a shade and B designates in its entirety the improved means for said shade. l

lis pointed out, the shade A may be of any form, either the well known Austrian shade or French shade or any shade adapted to be moved by means of cords.

Referring to Figures 1, :2, 3, 4, 11 and 12, it will be observed that the shade A in said ligure is of the commercially known Austrian style.` Said shade has between its intermediate shirred portions a braid 8, ex.- tending longitudinally thereon. One end of said shade, as at 9, may be tacked to a retaining medium Vor structure 10, which usually consists of a board adapted to be fastened to the upper part or sidev of the window casing, as shown at 11.V The opposite end of said curtain A carries a rod 12 ranging transversely across the same, as shown at 13. This rod is usually placed just above the scalloped portions 1 4, where scalloped portions are used. Friction meinbers aor Z) are sewed or otherwise mounted upon or attached to the braid 8, and in spaced relation to each other, as shown. A

ycontinuous cord l0 is carried over the sheave elements c attached to an under side of the retaining medium 10 as shown, From thence rsaid continuous cord 40 passes downwardly and has one of its lengths as 57 confined by the elements a or with the lower bight of thecord 40 in connection with the rod l2, while the upper bight passes over a sheave memberd. A. further cord 59 connects with the sheave member (Z, and the cord 59 continues over to aside of the window casing and then extends downwardly so that the same may be grasped. A plurality of said cords 4i() are provided, one for each braid or each part which extends between the shirred portions of4 the shade. lThus'it will appear that the cords 40, where they are,y

in co-operation with the shades, each arranged parallel with one` another. Upon pulling said cords 40 througlrthe medium of the cord 59, the curtain or shade A will assume an appearance similar to that shown in Figures V1 and 3,that is to say, the fullness due to the gathering of said shade will be at the top thereof as shown, at 6a. -A releasing of the cord will allow the curain to be lowered as shown in Figure LL,

with trie fullness due to the gathering mainl tained at all times at the top of the curtain though .in progressive diminishment.

Paiticulari'zing theV improved `means B for the shade may include in one of its embodiments a friction means a or which friction means may consist of a blank cut in the form shown either in Figure 9 or Figure 10. IObviously, other types of fricf and 16, adapted to be bent upwardly at the dotted line 17, 18, 19 and 20. The ears 15 and 16 are likewise bent at the portions shown as dotted at 21 and 22 in an outward direction. Itf is to be noted that the friction means a is provided with a perforation 23 and that the friction means ai likewise has small perforations 24 located therein. TWhen the friction means a is properly bent on the dotted lines, itA will asume an appearance similar to that shown in Figures 9a, 9b and 9C. In 'said Figures it is vto be observed that the perforations 24 now register with each other, that isto say, the perforation 24 shown in the ear 15 will register with the perforation 24 shown as at 25, and the perforation 24in the ear 16 willregister withV the perforation 24 shown at 2,6. A

'tongue member 27 is bent downwardly as 'showny at 28, so that it may engage a surface of the friction means a. as shown at 29. The friction means b shown in Figure 10 likewise has outstanding ears 30 and 31, provided with perforations 32 therein. T he friction means b has a perforation 33 located at a median portion of said means as at 34. The friction means Z) is adapted to be bent atthe dotted portionillustrated at 35 and 36 and when so bent will assume the appearance shown in Figures 10a and 10P. Said friction means b likewise has pressed therein two tongue members 37 and 38 adapted-to co-operate with each other. @ne of said friction members, either a. or l), is

vsewed to the curtain on the tape portion 1 thereof, or if the curtain does not have a tape portion, at the point where ,the tape is normally placed, said frictionmeans a or b being sewed tothe curtain A through the eyes or perforations 24 of the friction means a, or eyes 32 of the friction means b. 'In the sewing thereof it makes little difference whether the friction means t has the perfoi'ated portion 23 extending directly upwardlyor directly downwardly. However, one of said positions must beassumed; the friction meanscannot have the perforation 23 or 33 transverse the tape 1.

Upon the rod 12 is mounted a small pulley or ring 39. A continuous or non-ending cord 4() termed the operating means passes downwardly through the perforation 23 vof the friction means a, or the perforation 33 of the friction meansb, and is engaged bythe tongue member 27 or the tongue members 37 and 38, depending upon .which friction means is used. Said cord likewise passes through the ring or pulley member 39, and then back up without engaging the curtain at all. The continuousv cords engage means c, which means is j oinedwith the retaining inedium 3. Said means c is in the `form of a double sheave and is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Said means c has a yoke` member 41v which encases-two sheaves 42 Aand 43.v Saidyoke member 41 may have aV retaining-medium as 44, consisting of a screw joined 'with the same, so that the means c maybe joined with the. retaining medium 10 as shown at 45. The .sheave 42 is roughened as shown at 46 on itsperiphery and each of said sheaves is carried on axles or pins 47 and 48, passing through the bore in said'sheaves and through perforations in the side walls of the yoke 41 of the means c.- It is to be noted from Figure 5 that the sheave 42 is in advance of the sheave 43. In other words, that they are in a staggered relation-to each other..

The sheave 42 ismadein such a manner that it may turn'in one direction only. Any small clutch element might. be incorporated.

a. means for accomplishing the desired result' and which means shows that a portion surrounding the bore 49 of said sheave 42 is offset and arcuated as shown at 50. Hthin said offset portion maybe placed a small Obviously, when theV j roller member 51.

sheave 42 is within the yoke 41 of the meansl .A c, the roller member -51 cannot escape from appended arrow in Figure 7, the rollerl would engage a restricted arcuated portion as shown at 53 of the offset portion 50, and prevent said rotation. The lower roller mem-v ber 43is allowed to rotate in either direction In Figure 8 Visdepicted the ordinary type of sheave designated in its entirety by d, in

which a sheave member 54 -ism'ounted for rotation in avyoke member 55 provided with a ring member 56.4 l Y Y Referring again to Figure ,2, the continuous cord member 40rtermed the operating means is brought upwardlyso that one of its p Y lengths as 57 termed the Vrising length, is

brought over the sheave 42 and the free f length as 58, which is not attached to any frictionmeans, is brought overl the sheave 43. y

The sheavefcl also engages the bight of the continuous cord 40 and acts asl one means for divisioningthe lengths 57 and 58 of the con'- tinuous cord. Attached to the ring member y 56may be a cord 5 9.v `New, assumingthat a plurality of shirred portions on the cur-` tain A are provided as shown in Figure 1l,

and that a plurality of the means c are atv tached to the retaining medium 3 as shown,v

' in Figure 11 at 60, 61, 62 and.63likewise a plurality of continuous cord members 4() arrangedas just stated and passing through 13o,A i Y 85 However, in Figures 7y and 7a I have shown friction means and connected with ring or pulley members 39, attached to the rod l2, as well as a plurality of cords :39 joined with rings 56 on sheaves al, let us see what happens upon pulling the cord or cords 59.

Referring to Figure 3, which illustrates one portion of the shade A, it will be lobserved that when the cords are pulled, the curtain becomes full at a zone adjacent its line of attachment with the supporting member l0.

The portion 57 of the cord l0 was moved twice around the sheave 4t2, in order to cover the roughened surface thereof and to pre-vent slippage. lilhen the cord :'39 in L 2 was pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow, the sheaves l2 and i3 both rotated together and the lengths 57 andS both moved upwardly an equal distance, each rotating over their respective sheaves. ln this upward movement, the friction means rc or h, depending on which is used, tended to grip the length 57 of the cord 4l) and carry the curtain upwardly. fflbviously, the friction means would not have to carry the weight of the rod l2, as the weight of the rod l2 was being carried by the cord l0; the friction means really carries the weight of the curtain itself. However, this weight is distributed between all the friction means and would therefore practically be negligible. hlatnrally, the first friction means a or l) located near the top of the curtain as at 65, would be the first means to be 4affected by a movement of the cord e0. Said friction means would tend to move upwardly and try to follow the length 57 of the cord 4G, in its movement over the sheave i-2. is'prevented by placing a thin strip of wood or other material 66 under the retaining medium lO as shown at 67 to keep the curall tain A tlat adjacent said iriction means as shown at G5. rlhus, as the lengths 57 and 58 of the continuous cord l0 start their movement, the friction means shown at withv the curtain A. will engage the strip 66 and prevent its further movement. llihen this occurs, the cord will be drawn through said friction means and the next friction means as shown at 68 will move upwardly, carrying with it its portion of the shade and hit the upper friction means as shown at 65 beine )revented from further movement upwardly by said friction means, and so on, throughout the length of the shade. lt might appear that if the friction means gripped the cord l0 too tightly, that the o posite end of the shade would tend to curl inwardly and be carried upwardly. However, a moments thought immediately demonstrates that the weight of lthe rod l2 would prevent this from occurring.

lt will now be seen why the sheaves l2 and 141-3 are staggered, one reason being so that onlv llovvever, this `wise i ,aereas the two lengths 57 and 5S making up the continuous cord d0, will be separated from one another. lt will also be seen why the sheave e2 is made so as to turn V in one direction. lf the sheave i2 were allowed to rotate in both directions similar to the sheave i3 upon releasing the cord 516 so that it would travel in the direction indicated by the arrow in re fl, the curtain instead of coming down evenly, would allow the entire pufed portion or gathered fullness Gil to come down en massa However, as the length l?? ot the cord 1l@ is moved around the pulley 42, and as the pulley l2 can only move in one direction, that portion as 57 of the coid G cannot move, and hence when the cord 5G isreleased so that it may move in tie direction of the arrow as indicated in Figure the length 58 termed the lowering length will commence its movement and allow the rod l2 to carry or rather pull the curtain back into position. lnso doing, the curtain gradually pulls each friction means down the cord length 5'? and allows the curtain to come back down evenly, with the gathered fullness 6e at all times maintained in progressive diminishment at the top of the curtain as shown.

lt is obviousJ that a method has been described whereby a curtain or shade may be raised or lowered or moved to one side, as in the case of easement shades, by allowing the fullness to be acquired at any one desired. ln Figure ll, the plurality o cords may be brought out at an end, at However, we immediately run into difhculties; in the first place, the nearer the means c approaches the point 69, the less chance has the continuous cord 40 to move. ln Figures 2, 3 and il,v if the curtain was four feet in length, theA pulley Z would have to be moved approximately four feet in order to completely gather the curtain, hence if the curtain had three shirred portions as shown in .Figure ll, each of the pulleys (Z would have to be moved approximately four feet, andthis would be an impossibilityv in the construction shown in Figure ll. l-lence, the continuous cords may belengthened so Vas to pass over sheaves within a medium e shown in .Figure 11.3.' Said medium comprises 'a yoke (0, proivided with partitions 7l, and likewith a plurality of upper vand lower shcave members 72 and 73 confined between said partitions. wise has a medium as 74, attached to the same, as at 75, so that said yoke member may be'joined with the retaining medium l() as at 76, see Fig 12. As stated, each continuous cord member i0 has its length 57 broughtV over one of the sheaves 72 and the other length 58 of each vof the cord members Ll0 brought over one each of the Said yoke Alikeof sheaves used.

sheaves 73. Thence the lengths 57 and 58 pass downwardly within a means f illustrated in lFigures 16 and 17. Thus it will be seen that the respective continuous cordL tion as 79. The interior of said head 77 is hollow. The portion 78 is provided with an axle or pin 80, upon which are rotatably mounted sheaves`81. Fach 'sheave is spaced from the other by means of partitions 82, within said cap 78. Likewise `the `cap is provided wit-h a series of spaced perforations 83. `It is intended that the lengths as 57 and 58, after they have been brought over the sheaves 72 and 73 in the means e, should pass downwardly through the perforations 83 and over the sheaves`81 within thecap 78, as illustrated in Figure 16 and Figure 17. Thus, as the means f is pulled downwardly, the curtain A will beraised as shown in Figure 3.

The means just described may be consid- `ered cumbersome and' it may bedesired to so arrange the curtain and the means associated` therewith, that it will not be necessary to pull upon a means f the distance required to raise the curtain. To vaccomplish a new result, an arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 14 and 15 may be utilized.

In Figure 14, which may represent the cu:-`

tain' shown in Figure 11, it is noted that a -different method is presented for raising the curtain. In Figure 14 the different points of the curtain will be designated as 83, 84, 85 andv 86. At each of said points the friction 'means c is used. The4 chief difference between the different points lies in the number It is simply making use of the mechanical advantage methods of arranging sheaves. In Figure 5 only one sheavezl, is used, while in Figure'14 three sheaves are used instead of one. That is to say, the means Z has two sheaves, as 87 Vwe have sheaves 90, 91, 92, 93 and 94. In

this case the length 57 of the cord 40 is brought over the sheave 42y of the means c,

thence over the sheave 90, back over the sheave 93, thence over the sheave 91, then over the sheave 94, thence over the sheaves 92 and 43, to `where it joins the length 58. The means d in this case includes the three sheaves 90, 91, and 92, while the sheaves 93 shown' in Figure 15.

and 94 are 'mounted `ina yokeand fastened to theretaining means 10 adj acentthev means o. Cords, as 59 are provided as before and are connected to the yoke portions that go to carry the sheaves 87 and 88, and the sheaves 90, 91 and 92. 177e will designate thesheav'es 87 and 88 by the symbol g, and the sheaves. 90, 91 and 92 by t. The sheave 89 will bedesignated as j, and thesheaves S93-and v94 by 73V. New, the means g andv it of the portion as` shown at v83 and84 have their cords 59 eX- tending so that they may passte the right as shown in Figure 14, directlyA over the sheave 95 located as'l at 96. itl 85 we yprovidemechanism identical -with that 'shown at t and /c and at 86 we providethe mechanism identical with g and j as shownat 83. I-Iowever, in the latter case, which vwe will designate as g1, jl, h1, Ic1,`they areturned so that the cords 59v connected 4with' the. same:l will draw them to the'left of the iigureas shown. To aecomplishthis, we provide two sheaves, as 97 and 98, joined to the retaining medium 10 asiat 99. The cords 59 passover said sheaves 97 and 98 and then back so that they may pass Vover the sheave 95. l The sheave 95 may be onevsh'eave `or it maybe a plurality of'she'aves 'similar to that shown in Figure 13, with the exception that'the sheaves 73 wouldv `not `be' necessary. Of course, itis understood that in `Figurej14 the parts `are'greatly exaggerated' and as a matter of fact some: mediuinfor containing vthe elements asv illustrated at g, iz., j, it, and g1, '71.1, jl, and lol-might be provided such as In Figure 15 the retainingy medium 10 may be made ofboX-like formation. This form of retaining/medium is designated as m. Said medium mis providedwith atop 100, base, 101, and side members, 102 and 103, and end members 104. "VVithin saidl medium m are airangeda series of partitions n, in'spaced relation to each other. The' bottom member 101 maybe perforated as at 1051V to allowthe continuous cord member 40 to pass upwardly into thesame.V `rThe space confined between the interior :wallfof the si-de 103 and the partition mas at 106 may be arranged to hold the mechanism 0,3' and g vsimilar to that-which wouldbe atav point as 83 in Figure 14. The mechanism shown at 84 of Figure 14 would' be contained between themext two partitions, and perforations wouldbe provided in the basei-1l01 so that the continuous cord 40 might passupward through the same fo-r engagement with `rthe different members c, h" and la. It is there- 'fore 'obvious that all the vd iiiz'erent members would' be 'confined betweenpartitions and that theyv would not'become entangledwth one another. cord might be joined toall of thejmembers 59, whichcord, as 107, wouldbe joined to an @semental tassi-.1 108. f- 4 vIt Vis also obvious thatv one A CFI Pulling downwardly uponthe tasse] 108 would cause the curtain to move upwardly and the particular arrangement ot the mechanism just described would compensate for thel change of the length in the different continuous cords. 1t has been demonstrated that a curtain four feet in length and two feet wide, by using mechanism as illustrated in Figure '14, may be drawn completely upwardly by a pull oit less than two feet downward upon the tassel 108. lt is obvious that any number or changes in the number and relations of the sheaves might be made in relation to the size of the curtain Vand the number of parallel shirred portions thereof. It must be understood, however, that the particular' arrangement ot the multiplying tackles or sheaves as illustrated in Fig. 14; would have to correspond. That is to say, the tackles shown at g and tr would have to be similar and contain the saine number ot sheave elements, otherwise the rod l2 would move zigzag. bviously the multiplying tackle g would move faster than the Vmultiplying tackle z.. It, however', it were desired to use the tackles g and /t as illustrated in Figure 14, it would be necessary to join the cords 59a attached t0 said tackles and then provide a further cord carrying a sheave element such as illustrated in Figure 8, the sheave wheel 54 having the bight of the joined cord lengths moving over the same and connecting the tackles g and 7L; anc a further cord 59 would connect the tackle d and would pass over the sheave 95. This arrangement of course would compensate for the difference in movement between the two multiplying tackles g and t. n the showing the multiplying tackle g would move'one-halt Aas far. as the curtain was raised,while the multiplying tackle 7L would move one-third as far as the curtain was raised. Consequently the compensating me- ,dium above mentioned would be necessary iftl it were ydesired to use this arrangement, as the multiplyingtackle (j would soon'catch up with the multiplying` tackle 7L when they were moved.

It is to be noted in Figure l that the cords ZL0, as well asthe friction means either a 0i` b, do not appear all of the braids o i said ligure. .it is customary kin mounting the curtains A to have the cord members 40 on the outside oi vsaidcurtain A adjacent the window vW or other. medium. This arrangement, of course, gives the curtain a pleasing appearance within the room and as the cords ktor movinggthe curtain as well as the friction members (loro, are small, they will not l.beiobserved by people on the outside ot the house.

ed seas to cover the top of the curtain A,

As stated, a lambrequin L is mountand it is beneath this lambrequin that the curtain is folded. Obviously, some .term of.

i ,tomas lambrequinmight'be used on the other side ot the curtain so that the discontinuous portions, or 'folded orgathered portions et the curtains may not he seen from the opposite side of the window or other medium. This is a matter of preference and in general practice the lambrequin is only placed on the interior as illustrated. The friction means a or Z) may be covered with fabric it desired, or may be enameled. using pulley members it is possible, ot course, to use a clutch member similar to the clutch member used tor holding tie pins and in place of the other sheave members screw eyes might be used. This is all a matter oit preference and depends vupon the amount et money to be expended upon a given job.

lt is obvious that many changes and variations and modications may be made in departure from the particular description and showing of the accompanying drawings, in adapting the invention to varying conditions and requirements of use and servico, without departing from the true spirit of the invention. A vHaving thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: j f

- l. The combination, with a curtain, adapted to gather at a Zone adjacent its linenof' attachment with a member, of means adapted to maintain said gathering in progressive diminishment adjacent said 'line of attachment until adjustment of the curtain into position of extension is approximately com-f pleted.

2. The combination, with a curtain, of operating means therefor, and means co-acting therewith, whereby thecurtain is gathered in one operation the-rect in adeiinite Zone adjacent its line'of attachment with a member...and which gatherediormation is retained adiacent the line oi attachment for diminishment during the reverse operation of the curtain. I Y Y Y 3. The combination, with a curtaimot' operating` means for said curtain, and friction elements joined with said curtain and frictionally enga-ging said means wherebyilurgathers in a. zone at the top of the curtain with the gathering continuously maintained in progressive diminishment at said Zone ing movement ot said means the curtain ioo Yilo

until lowering of the curtain is approximately completed.

tThe combination. with a curtain, of a cord secured to the lower end of said curtain tor raising the saine, members secured to said curtain and frictioually engaging the cord, and means whereby the lower endo i said curtain may move downwardly with relation to said cord, the upper end of said cord being held stationary. f

5. VThe combination, with curtain, oi' opa- Yof the curtain,

G, The combination with: a structure; of a curtain suspended from said structure; an endless cord; means secured to the bottom ofA said curtain, said cord passing under said means divisioning` the cord into a rising length. and a lowering length; a` series of members securedto `said curtain at intervals, said members frietionally engaging said rising length of said cord; means for pulling upwardly on both said rising length and said lowering length of said cord to raise said curtain; and means for holding the upper length of said rising length and releasing said lowering length for the purpose of lowering said curtain.

7. The combination, with a curtain, of means for operating said curtain, and means joined with said curtain and co-operating with said first-named means, whereby during movement of said first-named means the curtain gathers at a determined zone; a member likewise being provided for supporting said curtain at an end thereof, and there being means mounted upon said support over which the means for gathering the curtain passes; said means including a oneway clutch member for preventing mov ement of the means for operating the curtain in one direction.

8. The combination, with a curtain, of operating means therefor, and friction inembers co-acting therewith, whereby the curtain is gathered in one operation thereof in a definite zone adjacent its line of attachment with a member, and which gathered formation is retained adjacent the line of attachment for diminishment during the Vreverse operation of the curtain.

9. A curtain provided at one end with a member for supporting the same, spared lindependent continuous cords for gathering said curtain, means adjacent the opposite end of said curtain, through which the continuous cords may pass, moans joined with the supporting member over which the continuous cords pass, friction elements spa cedly mounted in parallel rows upon said curtain for frictionally engaging separate lengths of the continuous cords, whereby when the oord elements are moved the eurtain gathers at a determined zone; said means which is joined to the lsupporting member over which independent continuous cord elements pass, including a one-way clutch for preventing movement of each continuous cord in one dlrectlon.

lO. A. curtain provided at one end with a member for supporting the same, spaced independent continuous cordsA for gathering said curtain, means adjacent the opposite end of said curtain, through which the continuous cords pass, means joined with the ysupporting member over which the continuous cords pass, friction elements spacedly mounted in parallel rows upon said curtain for 'frictionally engaging separate lengths of the continuous cords, whereby when the corded elements are moved the curtain gathers at a determined Zone, said means which is joined to the supporting member overwhich independent continuous corded elements pass, including a one-way lclutch for preventing movement of each continuouscord in one direction; there being tackles co-operating -with each independent continuous cord for moving said cords.

11. A'curtain-provided at one end with a member for supporting the same, spaced independent continuous cords for gathering said curtain, means adjacent the opposite end of said curtain, through which the continuous cords pass, means joined with the sup-V porting member over which the continuous cords pass, friction elements spaeedly mounted in parallel rows upon said curtain for frictionally engaging separate lengths of the continuous cords, whereby when the cord elements are moved the curtain gathers at a determined Zone; said means which is joined to the supporting member over which independent continuous cord elementspass, including a one-way clutch for preventing movement of each continuous cord in one direction; there being multiplying tackles over which each continuous independent cord passes whereby a relatively short movement of said tackle will produce a greatly increased gathering movement of the curtain.

l2. An Austrian shade having parallel shirred portions, said shade having a supporting member at one end thereof, and a weighted member transversely mounted at the opposite end thereof, for maintaining the curtain in a taut position, one-way clutch members and sheave members joined to said support member adjacent each parallel shirred portion of said curtain, sheave members mounted upon the weight member, in-

dependent continuous cords passing through one each of the sheaves on said weighted member, and having one each of their lengths co-acting with one each of the one-way clutch members and their other lengths passing over one each of the sheave members, and pulley members over which said continuous cords pass for moving said cords; there being friction elements spacedly arranged upon the curtain and extending between the shirred portions, said friction elements combining with the length of each independent continuous cord which co-acts with the oneway clutch, whereby upon moving each oi the continuous cord elements the curtain acquires iiullness adjacent the supporting member, a releasing of the cord elements permitting` the curtain to be re-closed evenly, a certain portion of the fullness being continuously maintained at the top until the curtain is entirely re-closed.

13. The combination, with a curtain; of means for operating said curtain, and means joined with said curtain and (3o-operating with said rst named means, whereby during movement of said first named means the curtain retains fullness in a dei'inite Zone, such fullness diminishing automatically and `progressively to accommodate the lowering of the curtain.

lll. The combination7 with. a curtain, of operating cords therefor, and vfriction members oo-acting therewith, whereby the curtain is gathered iny one operation thereof, in a delinite Zone adjacent its line of attachment with a member, and which gathered formation is retained adjacent the line of attachment for diminishment during the reverse operation of the curtain; there being inulti} lying` means for moving the curtain at a relatively increased speed.

In testimony whereof, have signed my 30 name to this speciication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J. CALVIN BROWN@ Nitnessesz J. SHUTT, MILDRED LEACH. 

